The future of impact assessment: problems, solutions and recommendations

ABSTRACT

This contribution explores key sociological and policy challenges facing impact assessment in the 21st century. In so doing, it identifies three trends that will shape the future of IA theory, policy and practice: a shift from a project-by-project approach to better accommodation of cumulative impacts; increased cross-border policymaking to address shared issues and in recognition of natural resources as planetary resources; and the development of increased and improved methods of community-based SIA that radiate out from communities’ perspectives, as opposed to overlaying project perspectives onto a community.

KEYWORDS:

• Cumulative impact assessment
• transnational governance
• policy
• community-based
• social impact assessment